Help seek flood-control voids in reservoirs

Sunday

Sep 29, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Editor, the Record:

All those directly or indirectly affected by the floods of 2004, 2005 and 2006 should send e-mails to m.stewart@usgs.gov of the Delaware River Master office, urging the Decree Parties representing New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, and New York City to put 20 percent year-round "safety voids" in the New York Delaware Reservoirs in the new (seven-year) Flexible Flow Management Plan (FFMP).

All three New York Delaware reservoirs were at capacity when the rain events of 2004, 2005 and 2006 came. Because of their small release valves, it can take reservoirs weeks to create voids for the rainfall. With no voids, the new rainfall pushes billions of gallons of water out of the reservoirs into the Delaware River. We had no major flood since 1955, with full reservoirs and heavy rain; we had three major floods in 21 months. In October 2005, we had the second-highest rainfall since 1941. We did not flood; reservoirs were below 80 percent capacity.

The Decree Parties are also holding "Listening Sessions" to collect feedback concerning the FFMP. There will be an afternoon and an evening session, from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Oct. 1, at Loch Sheldrake, N.Y. and Oct. 2 at the Nurture Nature Center, 518 Northampton St., Easton. For information, visit water.usgs.gov/osw/odrm/documents/FFMP_listening_sessions.html.

A document, "Very Important Concerns Regarding Delaware Flooding and the New FFMP," will be valuable in writing your e-mail. It is on the Delaware Riverside Conservancy website at delawareriversideconservancy.org

DRC in May sent to the Decree Parties full-page ads (costing $14,000) that we placed in newspapers from the Poconos to Trenton, N.J.; 14,433 signatures; and letters from Congress to mayors, all urging year-round voids in the reservoirs. They voted in May for 100 percent full reservoirs. We need your help.

GAIL PEDRICK

President, Delaware Riverside Conservancy

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